Esch, Vernell M. (Herman) 1942-2011

HERMAN, GROTEGUT, ESCH, MARTIN, MCGREAL, GRABENBAUER, BLACKWELL, JENKINS, WESSELS

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 4/2/2011 at 14:07:39

SOURCE: Leonard & Leonard Muller Funeral Homes & Crematory Funeral brochure, February 23, 2011
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., February 23, 2011 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Strawberry Point, Iowa for Vernell M. Esch, of Strawberry Point, who died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family after a brave battle with cancer on February 20, 2011. Interment was at Cass Township Cemetery, Strawberry Point, Iowa. Leonard-Muller Funeral Home, Strawberry Point, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.

Vernell Mary was born on February 22, 1942 in Allamakee County, Iowa to Elmer and Mary (Grotegut) Herman. She was the youngest of four children and was raised on a farm in rural Waukon, Iowa. She was confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in Waukon, Iowa. She attended a small country school and graduated from the Waukon High School in 1959.

She moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she worked as a secretary at Prudential insurance Company. It was in Cedar Rapids that she met Jan Esch. They were married on July 23, 1961 at Zalmona. Jan and Vernell have spent nearly 50 years living and farming north of Strawberry Point where they raised beef cattle. Vernell was a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother to her five children and 16 grandchildren. She loved her family and her home, spending time gardening, cooking and canning, quilting, fishing, hunting mushrooms every spring and reading. One of her special talents was her ability to find a four-leaf clover for every special family event. Spending time with Jan out on the farm defined her life, as did her strong passion for her beloved grandchildren. She was anticipating the birth of her 17th grandchild to Kim and Chad in early April.

Vernell had a strong Christian faith and was an active, long-time member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and most recently of Mission in Christ in Strawberry Point, participating in Bible study and serving through the church women's organization.

Vernell was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mary Herman; her brother and sister-in-law, Ruben and Helen Herman; and a sister-in-law, Beverly Wessels.

She is survived by her husband, Jan Esch of Strawberry Point, Iowa; their 5 children, Carrie (John) Martin of Olympia, Washington, Kristi (Peter) McGreal of Elkader, Iowa, Kellie (Cory)
Grabenbauer of North Liberty, Iowa, Dr. Kevin (Staci) Esch of Ames, Iowa, and Kim (Chad) Blackwell of North Liberty, Iowa; 16 grandchildren, Peter, Chris, Benjamin, and Lisha Martin, Jacob, Tim, Joe, Maria, Sam and Dan McGreal, Ilsa, Ayla and Elias Grabenbauer, Gabriella and Eva Esch, and Isaac Blackwell; one brother, Nyles (Ruby) Herman of Waukon, Iowa and one sister, Marian (Hanley) Jenkins of West Des Moines, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Harold Wessels of Strawberry Point, Iowa; dear family friends, Greg and Joan Mohr of Spirit Lake, Iowa and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

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